Characteristics of elderly people using the psychiatric emergency system: Short Communication

Abstract

We investigated the differences between elderly and under-65-year-old patients using the psychiatric emergency system. The following characteristics were more common in elderly patients than in younger patients: organic mental disorder, mood disorder, dementia, disturbed consciousness, no excitation, physical complications, no history of visiting a psychiatrist and no history of hospitalization. In addition, significantly more elderly patients with mood disorder attempt suicide. © 2009 Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.